Distance 49 km (30.6 miles) | |
Price range US$32-US$42 | |
Ride Duration Range 1h-1h 15m | |
Earliest Departure 20:00 | |
Latest Departure 20:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Utila is often referred to as Roatán’s little brother.
It’s the smallest of the Bay Islands, located in the Caribbean Sea north of Honduras, known for its phenomenal barrier reef and fantastic diving.
People often flock to Roatan while they’re on cruises around the Caribbean. It’s there they discover the fascinating Garifuna culture and fabulous island lifestyle. Utila is much smaller than its neighbor and cannot accommodate these cruise ships, attracting a much different crowd. But getting from Roatán to Utila is super easy, so many people go to both.
The typical Útila tourist is a backpacker looking to explore more of Central America or someone who knows this tiny island has some of the best diving in the world.
If diving isn’t your thing, there are plenty of stunning beaches you can chill at, and the snorkeling is amazing right off the shore. Neptunes, a bar, restaurant, and section of beach, open from 9-6 each day, is the best place to start. They have a great dock available to guests, and it’s only a US$2 tuk-tuk ride from the center of town.
Utila is also known for its nightlife. Even though the island is tiny, it comes to life after dark. One of the best places to check out is Treetanic, located within the Jade Seahorse hotel. This bar is one of the most unique places to get a drink anywhere in the world. It’s best to simply go and experience it for yourself.
There are also plenty of opportunities to snorkel and dive with whale sharks. Útila is home to the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center. You can volunteer here or simply visit to learn more about these gentle giants.
Now that you’re ready to jump ship and head from one beautiful island to another, you may be wondering, How do I get from Roatan to Utila? Keep reading to check out your options.
The distance from Roatán to Utila is a mere 50 km (~31 miles).
The ferry is nothing fancy but offers seating inside and out.
Pro Tip – sit outside if you are prone to seasickness. The ride can be pretty rough if the seas are choppy.
You will probably want to sit outside anyway, as the approach from Roatan to Utila is beautiful. You’ll see the tiny island in all its glory as you approach the dock, and as an added bonus, get to disembark first while you wait for your luggage.
How to get from Roatan to Utila
The best way to get from Roatan to Utila is by ferry. It’s also the cheapest and easiest option. There is one ferry per day in the afternoon, and it’s relatively affordable, especially compared to the flights.
Roatan has an international airport, and Utila does have a small airstrip, so it’s possible to get a flight. These are usually small airplanes serving connections from San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa or charter flights.
Unfortunately, options for transport from Roatán to Útila are limited, but that actually makes planning your trip all the easier!
Ferry
The ferry from Roatán to Útila departs daily at 2 pm. The journey takes about an hour and fifteen minutes from port to port and is pretty easy to navigate.
The Útila Dream ferry departs Coxen Hole in Roatán and drops passengers off at the Útila Municipal Dock.
The boat itself is quite lovely, with seating options inside and out. You’re able to enjoy the sea breeze outside or the AC and snack bar inside. Ferries have bathrooms onboard.
Additional benefits to taking the ferry include ample luggage allowance and the ability to change or cancel your ticket up to eight days before departure.
Additionally, if the ferry is canceled due to weather, you will automatically be rescheduled.
Ferry tickets from Roatán to Útila start at around US$32 per person.
Flight
If traveling by boat is not your thing or you have the ability to charter a plane, the Roatán to Útila flight is a great way to splash out. And the flight time is only 15 minutes.
Believe it or not, tickets on small planes can be reasonable. It is possible to find flights for around US$80 per person. There are daily flights on CM airlines, but they sell out quickly as the planes are small.
Your other option is to charter a flight. It’s much more expensive but can be split with all passengers on board.
In the end, no matter how you get from Roatán to Útila, it’ll guarantee another few days
of living your Caribbean dream. You’ll probably leave kicking and screaming when it’s time to go home.
Not sure what to pack for the long bus ride you have coming up? Here`s with a short list of things you can`t forget to take with you.
If you’re thinking of embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, here are a few golden rules for you to live, work and travel by.
Party trips combine two types of fun, but also demand that you pay attention to certain things for maximum joy and minimum problems.
Bookaway.com makes it simple and easy to find, compare, and buy city-to-city tickets via bus, train, ferry, and more. We support over 13 languages and 23 currencies worldwide, and we believe that everyone should easily be able to find and purchase what they are looking for. We don’t just want to help you get where you want to go - we want you to enjoy the ride.
